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Masking Options in Luminar Neo

  • Updated

Masks allow you to hide or obscure an effect in parts of an image. To fine-tune an effect in select areas, brush it in or out.

Luminar Neo offers four types of masks:

  • Brush Mask. Using a Brush Mask is one of the easiest ways to mask an image. You can use brush strokes to add to or subtract from the mask.
  • Linear Gradient Mask. The Linear Gradient Mask is useful for creating a gradual blend.
  • Radial Gradient Mask. A Radial Gradient Mask offers a quick and easy way to mask an elliptical area of your photo.
  • Mask AI. MaskAI detects up to nine separate elements in a photo: people, skies, buildings, vehicles, water, plants, mountains, and both natural and artificial ground for the perfect mask.

Creating a Tool Mask
Creating a Layer Mask
Using a Brush Mask
Using a Linear Gradient Mask
Using a Radial Mask
Mask AI
Mask Actions

Creating a Tool Mask


  1. Select a tool in the Edits panel.
  2. After adjusting a tool, select the Masking tab in the tool window to reveal masking options. Masking Options
  3. Choose from Brush Mask, Linear Gradient Mask, Radial Gradient Mask, or MaskAI
  4. Use the techniques covered in this chapter to edit the mask.

Creating a Layer Mask

 

If you’d like to use a mask on a layer, the first step is to add one. This approach is most useful when you want to mask parts of an image layer globally or blend several filters at once. This mask can be edited using the Brush, Linear Gradient, Radial Gradient, or MaskAI tools.

To add a mask:

  1. Open a photo in Luminar Neo.
  2. Select the desired layer. By default, layers have no mask.
  3. Click the Masking tab in the Layers Properties panel.
  4. Choose one of the four mask types
    • Brush
    • Linear Gradient
    • Radial Gradient
    • MaskAI

These tools offer several controls, we’ll explore them next.

Using a Brush Mask

The Brush Mask tool can be used in either Paint or Erase mode to add to or subtract from the masked area. Select the Paint mode to apply the mask. Selecting the Erase mode lets you erase masked areas to refine your selection.

Here’s how to use the Brush Mask tool:

Here’s an example of how to use the Brush Mask tool. Let’s add an obvious effect so it’s easy to view.

  1. Open an image in Luminar Neo.
  2. Select the Edit tab on the Top Toolbar to reveal the Tools pane and scroll down to the Creative tools.
  3. Choose the Dramatic tool and increase the sliders to high values, making the effect easy to see.
  4. Click the Masking Tab within the tool.
  5. Choose the Brush mode in the mask tool.
  6. With the Paint button selected, use the brush to paint areas of the image to which you want to apply the Dramatic tool. Masked areas will be indicated by a translucent red mask. This mask is visible while you are clicking to brush. You can also turn it on by clicking the Mask actions dropdown and choosing Show Mask.
  7. As you work, you can easily undo your brush strokes. Simply choose the Erase button and paint over the selected area.
  8. Continue painting the mask until you get the desired results. Use the Size, Softness, and Strength sliders to control your Brush and Erase tools.
  9. If needed, you can refine your mask by using the Additional Mask Controls.

Using a Linear Gradient Mask

The Linear Gradient Mask tool is helpful in creating a gradual blend between two states. The Linear Gradient Mask is a favorite of landscape photographers as it enhances images smoothly by applying effects along a gradient.

How to use a Linear Gradient Mask:

  1. Open an image in Luminar Neo.
  2. Select the Edit tab on the Top Toolbar to reveal the Tools pane and scroll down to the Creative tools.
  3. Choose the Dramatic tool and increase the sliders to high values, making the effect easy to see.
  4. Click the Masking Tab within the tool.
  5. Choose the Linear Gradient mode in the mask tool.
  6. Click and drag to create a linear gradient. You will see a translucent red overlay indicating the affected areas
  7. If needed, you can refine your mask by using the Additional Mask Controls.
    • The same controls can be used Invert or Clear the gradient if needed
  8. The Linear Gradient Mask tool offers simple controls to refine the gradient.
    • Drag the top or bottom line with the Hand tool to expand or contract the gradient.
    • Drag the middle dot to position the gradient.
    • Click and drag just outside the middle dot to rotate the mask.

Using a Radial Mask

Using a Radial Mask is a quick and easy way to highlight the sun, a face, or anything else in your photo. You can use the Radial Mask tool to create an ellipse or circle that makes it easy to create a gradual blend between two states.

Here’s how to use the Radial Mask tool:

  1. Adjust your image in a tool in the Edit panel (such as the Dramatic tool).
  2. Click on the Edit Mask icon to create a tool mask.
  3. Select the Radial Mask option from the drop-down menu.
  4. Choose from the Standard or Inverted Radial Mask to affect your image.
    • By default, the Radial Gradient mask that is created will “protect” the center of the circle/oval and any enhancements will be applied outside of the inner circle.
    • The Inverted Gradient will invert the mask so the effects are applied to the inner circle.
  5. Click and drag to create a circular mask. You will see a translucent red overlay indicating the affected areas
    • If needed, go to the mask controls (three-dot icon) and choose Show Mask so you can see the gradient.
    • The same controls can be used Invert or Clear the gradient if needed
  6. The Radial Mask tool offers simple controls to refine the gradient:
    • Drag the middle of the gradient (the dot) with the Hand tool to place its center.
    • Click and drag on the inside circle to adjust its radius, which affects the size of the gradient.
    • Click and drag the outside circle to adjust its radius and affect the feathering of the gradient.
    • Drag a control point on the outside circle to adjust the aspect ratio and create an ellipse.
    • Click on the outer circle to rotate the gradient mask (you’ll see arrows indicating rotation).
  7. You can also adjust properties like Blending modes and Opacity to change the mask’s impact on the image.

Mask AI

Using MaskAI helps you quickly select objects in an image to mask. It detects up to nine separate elements in a photo: people, skies, buildings, vehicles, water, plants, mountains, and both natural and artificial ground for the perfect mask.

How to use MaskAI:

  1. Open an image in Luminar Neo.
  2. Select the Edit tab on the Top Toolbar to reveal the Tools pane and scroll down to the Creative tools.
  3. Choose the Dramatic tool and increase the sliders to high values, making the effect easy to see.
  4. Click the Masking Tab within the tool.
  5. Choose the MaskAI mode in the mask tool.
  6. Select one or a combination of the nine masking elements to create a mask. You can further enhance the mask by using the Brush Mask.
  7. If needed, you can refine your mask by using the Additional Mask Controls.
    • The same controls can be used Invert or Clear the mask if needed

Mask Actions

Once you’ve added a mask, you can add or subtract from the masked area.

Click on the Mask actions dropdown to find the following controls:

  • Fill. This option covers your entire image with a mask. After using Fill, you can select Paint and use the Erase mode to subtract from the mask.
  • Clear. This option removes your mask entirely. After clicking Clear, you can use the Paint Mask, Gradient Mask, or Radial Mask tools to add details to the image.
  • Invert. This option inverts any mask you’ve created to reverse its opacity and transparency values.
  • Copy. This option copies the current mask to the clipboard. To use this copied mask, create a new mask using any tool and paste it into the new tool mask.
  • Paste. This option pastes the current mask stored on the clipboard for use on another tool mask.
  • Show. This option controls the visibility of the mask. Clicking Show displays the mask as a red overlay. You may continue drawing your mask for greater precision while this overlay is shown. Click Show again to remove the red overlay.

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